Feds blasts Florida’s unemployment compensation system for denying civil rights

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Thursday, 04.25.13

Feds blasts Florida’s unemployment compensation system for denying civil rights

By Toluse Olorunnipa

Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE -- The U.S. Department of Labor slammed the state of Florida for making it difficult for some unemployed people to get jobless benefits, particularly the disabled and those who speak Spanish or Creole.

Federal officials found that Florida violated the civil rights of unemployed individuals, beginning in 2011, when it required them to apply online for benefits and take an "assessment" before receiving any unemployment check.

In response, the state Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has agreed to enter negotiations with the U.S. Labor Department (DOL) to make appropriate changes. Failing to do so could lead to Florida losing millions of dollars in federal aid for the program.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is now working with the state of Florida to ensure that all persons who have limited English proficiency or have disabilities, and who are eligible for unemployment compensation, have fair and meaningful access to those benefits," a Labor Department spokesperson said.




Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/25/3363895/feds-blasts-floridas-unemployment.html#storylink=cpy

[Baitball Blogger]

1. Florida violating Federal Law?

You can almost set your clock to it, it's that predictable.

[Progressive dog]

2. What is this enter negotiations stuff?

Florida consistently has pushed the envelope on civil rights violations. The right wingers in charge do not care. Cutting funding only limits the money available to rectify the violations. They win either way.
Only when a criminal complaint against individuals is filed will the outlaws in the Florida government have an incentive to stop.